Leading Like a CEO: Insights from Cary Broussard

As a former executive of the Wyndam Hotel Group, a committed board member of several organizations, and the published author of From Cinderella to CEO , Cary Broussard is a leader in every sense of the word. Read about her climb to the top and learn her advice on navigating a corporate career.

In a sentence, what do you actually do all day in your job? Currently, I’m working as a professor at New York University (NYU). Students at NYU’s Tisch Center for Hospitality Tourism and Sports Management are gaining an edge in the job market by serving on real-world business advisory boards. As a global business professional, it’s my job to give my students inside access to global businesses and leaders. In return, I am very fortunate to have a ten-member intern advisory board that advises me on my brand, my books, and my website. I mentor the students, and they mentor me.

What traits and behaviors are critical to successful leadership? Emotional intelligence, confidence at any age, continual development of your skill sets, and empathy for others are all critical to leading with success. It’s also important to pay attention to how your company, industry, and the marketplace—meaning the customers—changes. You have to stay positive and consistently strive to add value—a great way of doing that is to make suggestions about ways to take the business forward; to enhance the customer experience. You have to make your voice heard.

Emotional intelligence, confidence at any age, continual development of your skill sets, and empathy for others are all critical to leading with success.

How did you learn to navigate corporate politics? I started off in government, which was rife with politics—you know, the ‘party’ kind. When I went to work at a company, I remember someone remarking that ‘there were no politics.’ Yeah, right! I learned quickly that companies had their own form of politics. So, I paid attention and learned to navigate the politics, but I didn’t let the internal perspective consume me. I kept close watch on what customers were saying and worked hard to stay focused there in my internal conversations.

What one piece of advice would you share with an aspiring leader? Surround yourself with bright, open-minded individuals, what I refer to in my book as “Swimming with the Swans.” Swans will challenge you with the bold ideas. Ideally allow these swans to keep you on the cutting edge of culture, business, and what interests or challenges you. There will be others who challenge you and may chip away at your confidence and steer you off your path. It’s your choice whether to keep them close or not. Never give up on your goals and stay in touch with what inspires you and keeps you focused.

Who is your financial role model? My father was president of the family business he inherited—his great grandfather started it on the Mississippi River. My mother was as frugal as they come, raising five kids. They both grew up in the Depression era, so they weren’t flashy but would splurge every blue moon on something . . . mainly for their children.

What words do you live by? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.